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Chief vet confirms XL bullies will not be culled
Current owners of American XL bullies will be asked to register their dogs.
CVO announces ‘amnesty’ for current owners.

The Government’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) has confirmed that existing American XL bullies will not be culled as part of the Government’s ban on the breed.

The Prime Minister announced the proposed ban on 15 September, in response to the death of a man attacked by two suspected American XL bullies.

Rishi Sunak said that work would begin for experts to define the breed, before it is banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The police or local council dog wardens are legally able to seize any suspected banned dog even if it has not acted dangerously and there has been no complaint.

A dog that matches the characteristics of a banned breed may also be seized, before the police or a council dog expert judge if it is a legal breed. If this gets taken to court it becomes the owner’s responsibility to prove it is not banned.

The Government states that, if your dog is a banned breed, you may receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for six months (or both). Your dog would also be destroyed.

However the CVO, Christine Middlemiss, has stated that there will not be a cull of existing American XL bullies. Instead there will be an amnesty, with current owners of the breed being asked to register their dogs.

Owners will be allowed to keep their American XL bully providing that it is neutered, insured and muzzled and on a lead when out in public.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Professor Middlemiss said: "There will be an amnesty. So people that already have these dogs - and some of them will be well socialised, well managed, well trained - you will need to register and take certain actions.

"Your dog will need to be neutered. It will need to be muzzled when out in public and on a lead and insured.

"But if you comply with these actions, and that means we'll know where these dogs are, which will be a massive benefit, then yes, absolutely you will be able to keep your dog."

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."